Stories for August 2009

Tuesday, August 4th 2009 - 09:36 UTC
Thousands of “eclipse tourists” expected to flock to Easter Island in July 2010

Thousands of visitors are set to fly to Chile’s Easter Island to view the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century scheduled for July 11, 2010. But Easter Island inhabitants warn the tiny isle cannot accommodate so many people.
Tuesday, August 4th 2009 - 09:33 UTC
Two UK main banks report combined half year profits of £ 6 billion

British banks Barclays and HSBC have shrugged off the near-collapse of the financial system to report combined half-year profits of almost £6 billion. The duo - which both avoided taxpayer support at the height of last autumn's crisis - posted profits of nearly £3 billion each, mainly due to strong investment banking results.
Tuesday, August 4th 2009 - 09:22 UTC
Brazil purchases 250 German Leopard tanks to guard its borders

The Brazilian army purchased 250 German leopard 1 A5 tanks which will be displayed mainly along the country’s 16.000 kilometres of land and fluvial borders thus reinforcing its dissuasive capacity in the event of foreign attacks. The program is also part of the National Defence Strategy, NDS, approved last December by President Lula da Silva.
Tuesday, August 4th 2009 - 09:15 UTC
Protecting UK bank savers from the credit crisis reached £ 21 billion

The cost of protecting United Kingdom savers during the credit crisis has been revealed by the body set up to compensate victims of banking collapses.
Monday, August 3rd 2009 - 13:50 UTC
Bolivian president Morales launches the “indigenous autonomy”

Bolivia has become the first country in the history of South America to declare the right of indigenous people to govern themselves. The country's first indigenous president, Evo Morales, launched his so-called “indigenous autonomy” policy in the eastern lowlands.
Monday, August 3rd 2009 - 13:28 UTC
Sir Nicholas re-elected chairman of UK/Falklands All Party Parliamentary Group

Sir Nicholas Winterton DL has been re-elected unanimously and unopposed as Chairman of the United Kingdom-Falkland Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group – for the twelfth consecutive year – at the Group’s Annual General Meeting at the House of Commons on 13th July.
Monday, August 3rd 2009 - 13:13 UTC
Weapons from 27 different countries found in Colombian terrorist camps

Weapons captured by the Colombian forces from the terrorist cocaine-funded organization FARC during the last ten years originated in at least 27 different countries and the Colombian government has requested help in finding out how they reached the jungle war.
Monday, August 3rd 2009 - 13:05 UTC
Lloyd’s recovers most of gold from trawler sunk in South Atlantic

Most of the 9.5 tons of gold and silver (valued in 20 million US dollars) that went down in the South Atlantic off the Argentine coast on board a converted Chilean trawler have been recovered by a rescue mission contracted by the insurers of the cargo, reports the Argentine press.
Monday, August 3rd 2009 - 12:58 UTC
Former minister exposes Kirchners leniency towards union leaders abuses

Argentina’s former Health Minister Graciela Ocaña revealed she resigned because she has “a different way of acting in politics” and criticized the growing influence in the Kirchner couple administrations of the head of the country’s main unions’ organization Hugo Moyano.
Monday, August 3rd 2009 - 12:49 UTC
Unemployment in Germany rose in July and worse to come

Unemployment in Germany rose in July, official figures have shown, and economists have warned that the worst still lies ahead for the job market.